09/04/1991 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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signs are the only avenue that they should explore. Councilman McKay is concerned since this company is still trying to develop other parcels, when it cannot lease what is built, and he believed that they have over built._ Law Director Gareau requested to be sworn in at this point. Chairman Gomersall administered the oath. He advised that he has been unable to lease his office space on Lorain Road for the past 3 years and he has met with Mr. Biskind and city officials to address this problem. If his window sign were to be removed, he would have no exposure, since real estate agents do little more than put up the signs. He lmows that millions of tax dollars are being lost on the Biskind space, and perhaps a sign is not the answer, but if all such signs ha.d to be removed and no one kmew there was vacant space available, the City would have a problem since it relies on income tax. He pointed out that they have given away 6 months free rent..That the city has lost other offices to other comrm,n; ties and he believed it would be a mistake to take away these signs. Ms. Montilla pointed out that they were attempting to build another office building on the corner of Country Club and Columbia Road. Mr. Gareau responded tha.t no bank would lend them the money for that tmless they had a national tenant. Mr. Restifo stated that they have not indicated to him tha.t they have done anything to promote this space, other than putting up signs. Mr. Papandreas advised that they have advertised in several publications and have tried to interest other brokers, but this is very expensive and the cash is not coming in from the office rentals to do as much of this as they would like. Mr. Garesu maintained that brokers did not advertise in the papers. Mr. Gomersall stated that when he was looking for office space, brokers were constantly calling him. Ms. Montilla mentioned several ways they could advertise, other than signs. Mr. Grace did not believe these signs would help. Chairman Gomersall called for a vote for each request separately. T. Restifo moved to grant the request for Biskind Realty Company for an extension of one year for a temporary leasing sign which is off the property, seconded by E. Gallagher. Roll call on motion: Restifo, Gallagher, Grace, and Gomersall, no. Mr. Maloney, yes. Motion failed to pass. Variance denied. Mr. Conway stated that sign for the Corporate Center at Great Northern Boulevard and Country Club is permitted, however, they have added "Technology Park" to it which is not on that parcel so it would not be allowed without this variance. He clarified that the sign has been installed with his permission and with the agreement that the words "Technology Park" would be painted out if the variance is denied. The members did had no objection. E. Gallagher moved to grant the request for a variance for the temporary leasing sign (off property) for combination sign for Great Northern Corporate Center and Technology Park for Biski.nd Realty Company at Country Club and Great Northern Boulevards, seconded by J. Maloney, and imanimously approved. Variance granted. Mrs. Krejci questioned if the Pierre Radisson sign was permanent or temporary. She was advised to check with the Building Department. 6. Gentry Men's Clothing, 5138 Great Northern Plaza South. Request for variance (1123.12). Request 95.5 square foot variance to add to wall sign. Violation of Ord. 87-93, Section 1163.06(d) (as per Ord. 90-125, Section 1163.23(a). Chairman Gomersall called all interested parties before the Board. The oath was administered to Mr. Kline, sign contractor, who did not believe that a variance was needed because this addition to the sign will fall within the area covered by the largest letter of the existing sign. Building Conuni.ssioner Conway stated that these are independently applied letters and since the "G" is oversized they used one rectangle for it and then stepped it down. Now that they want to add "men's clothing" the entire area must be figured as one rectangle. This would be the 4